Guardiola calls VAR a 'flip of a coin' before City face Palace

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said VAR decisions are like a “flip of a coin” and that his team must improve rather than blame officials, as City prepared to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday. ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}

Guardiola said he does not trust the system and tied his frustration to Manchester City’s FA Cup final defeats in 2024 and 2025, which he believes featured calls that went against his side. “We lost the two finals of the FA Cup because the referees didn’t do their jobs they should do, even the VAR,” he said. ^{[2, 1, 3, 4]}

He added that City could only control their own play. “The only thing we can do is do it (perform) better, that is only in your control,” Guardiola said. ^[2]

The comments came after renewed scrutiny of VAR following West Ham’s late goal against Arsenal being disallowed on review. Reports said Arsenal were leading City by 5 points, with Guardiola’s team holding a game in hand. ^{[1, 2, 3, 5, 4]}

Guardiola said he was not looking to make officials the focus. City still had 3 league matches left, he said, as the title race moved into its final stretch. ^[3]

Sources

BBC Sport — VAR is a flip of a coin, says Guardiola

The Straits Times — Global — Man City boss Guardiola says VAR decisions like the flip of a coin

The Guardian — Sport — Guardiola wants City players to raise their game rather than trust ‘flip of a coin’ officials

Malay Mail — Sports — Pep Guardiola says Premier League teams should ‘do better’ and not let VAR decide outcomes

The Straits Times — Sport — Man City boss Guardiola says VAR decisions like the flip of a coin

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Sources